at Carnegie Mellon University

About

Students for Urban Data Systems (SUDS) is a student group that brings together the vast (and growing) array of disciplines that contribute to the conversation of how cities are adapting new methods of “big data” collection and analysis to improve their service delivery, from providing water and police protection to repairing infrastructure. Additionally, the democratization of data and cities’ new “open data” policies are revolutionizing the way citizens interact with their cities, including the emergence of a burgeoning “civic hacking” scene where average citizens use this newly-available open data to create tools, visualizations, and awareness to help improve the lives of other citizens.

Since its founding in August 2015, SUDS has grown to over 100 members representing 5 different colleges and 20 different programs across Carnegie Mellon University. From urban design to electrical engineering, policy to philosophy, our students work in diverse teams tackling some of Pittsburgh’s most pressing issues, including police accountability, bicycle usage, and combined sewer overflows.

This site is our home for hosting student data projects, sponsoring a systems project for Heinz students, and hosting nationally-recognized speakers on the topics of open data, Internet of Things, and smart infrastructure.